5 things to know about the Clayton Railroad Days Festival

The Clayton Railroad Days Festival was started last year in tribute to the town of Clayton and its beginnings as a railroad town. The event this Saturday is in its second year and is brewing up to be even bigger and better than last year’s inaugural celebration.

The Clayton Railroad Days Festival was started last year in tribute to the town of Clayton and its beginnings as a railroad town. The event this Saturday is in its second year and is brewing up to be even bigger and better than last year’s inaugural celebration.

To add to the merriment, there will be a parade starting at 9 a.m. at Clayton Elementary to celebrate the town’s 125th anniversary. Here are a few tidbits of what to expect from the festival:

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

1. In the festival’s second year, it is steadily growing as more and more people want to be involved. There will be roughly 60 merchandisers, food vendors and demonstrators in total. Committee member Lisa Thomson said some of the highlights will be a demonstration on stained glass, a dunking booth with Clayton Police and Mayor Tom Horn, a blacksmith demonstration, and an interactive train station display at the Clayton Firehouse.

2. There will be plenty of things for kids to do as well from a craft zone, pony rides, inflatables, a scavenger hunt, face painting and more. Lil’ Toot the train will also be offering rides to kids; tickets can be picked up at the information booth.

3. Thomson said a great addition to this year’s event will be the day-long entertainment. The Citizens’ Hose Company band will kick it off at 10:15 a.m., followed by Sol Knopf at 11 a.m. in front of the Young Bean, the MOT Steppers at 1 p.m. and the Mix at 1:30 p.m.

4. There will be 50/50 raffles throughout the day. The Clayton Town Watch will be raffling off a car safety kit. Tickets are 6 for $5 or 1 for $1, the drawing will be at 3:30 p.m. with all proceeds going back to the festival.

5. Not only will the festival be a day filled with all types of family fun, residents can start the celebration at 9 a.m. with a parade to commemorate the town’s 125th anniversary parade. The parade starts at Clayton Elementary, will go down Main Street, turn onto Reed Street and will end at Eagle Group/Metal Masters.

WHY YOU SHOULD GO

“I want everybody to come out and just have a family fun-filled day and celebrate living in the town of Clayton. You are so lucky to be living here,” Thomson said.